Snap-in connector block



June 25, 1946. ROLLOW 2,402,578

SNAP-IN CONNECTOR BLOCK Filed July 31, 1943 "M ULL Inventor Douglas K.Rollow Agent Patented June 25, 1946 SNAP-IN vCONNECTOR, BLOCK Douglas K.Rollow, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor, by memo assignments, to LockheedAircraft Corporation, a corporation of California Application July 31,1943, Serial No. 498,881

This invention relates to electrical equipment and relates moreparticularly to connector blocks. A general object of the invention isto provide a practical, dependable and inexpensive connector block formechanically and electrically connecting electrical conductors. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a connector block suitablefor use in aircraft, automotive vehicles, electrical devices, machinery,etc., by means of which two or ,more wires or similar electricalconductors may be easily and quickly. electrically and mechanicallyconnected.

Another object of the invention is to provide a connector block in whichthe conductors may be expeditiously connected and disconnectedwithoutthe employment of any tools whatsoever. In employing theconnector block, the wires are equipped with coupler tips or pins whichare merely snapped into multiple coupler units in the block to beelectrically and mechanically connected. The coupler tips are firmly anddependably held by the coupler units to maintain full electricalconnection, but may be intentionally detached by a simple manual pull.

Another object of the invention is to provide a connector block in whichthe individual wires or conductors may be separately connected anddisconnected without the necessity of removing-or otherwise disturbingthe coupler units or the other conductors- Two or more pairs of wiresmay be electrically and mechanically connected by the device of theinvention and the individual wires may be separately handled withoutdisturbing the other wires. This is a distinct advantage over thebinding post type of connector block in which the disconnection orconnection of a single wire often necessitates the detachment andsubsequent re-attachment of several other wires.

Another object of the invention is to provide a. connector block of thecharacter referred to in which pluralities of sets or groups of two ormore wires may each have their individual members or conductorsmaintained in electrical and mechanical connection, the several sets orgroups remaining entirely distinct and electrically insulated one fromthe other.

Another object of the invention is to provide -a connector block of thecharacter referred to that may be supplied with as many multiple couplerunits as required for a given installationf The multiple coupler unitsmay be inserted in the block in the number and locations required for agiven installation and may be easily shifted,

I replaced and increased or decreased in number at any time,

6 Claims. (01. 173-334) Another object of the invention is to provide aconnector block that embodies a simple one piece block body which housesand fully protects the,

multiple couplers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a connector block inwhich the wires of any given group or set may all be brought into oneside or into both sides of the block as required. The connector block ofthe invention provides for the connection of straight-through wires aswell as branch leads or wires on ohe or both sides of the block. r

A still further object of the invention is to provide a connector blockof the character referred to that is simple and inexpensive tomanufacture and easy to install and service.

Other objects and features of the invention will be made apparent by thefollowing detafled description of typical preferred forms of theinvention throughout which reference is made to the accompanying drawingin which,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a connector block of the invention with aportion of the cover broken away to expose the interior of the block;

86 Figure 2 is aside elevation of the block with a portion appearing invertical cross section, being a view taken as indicated by line 2--2 onFigure Figure 3 is a transverse detailed sectional view taken asindicated by line 3-3 on Figure 2 show- Figure 6 is a vertical crosssectional view taken as indicated by line 6-6 on Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing another form of clip;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustratinganother form of coupler means that may be embodied in the block; and,

Figure 9 is a vertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated byline 9-8 on Figure 8 illustrating the manner in which the tips areengaged in the couplers.

The connector block of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 7inclusive may be said to comprise generally a body It, a plurality ofmultiple coupler units II in the body "I, pins or tips I: for theconductors C adapted to be engaged in the coupler units II, and means l3for removably retaining the coupler units in the body ID.

The block body It serves to support and house may be'any required numberof openings. openings 20 are spaced and located so that the Hi to behereinafter described.

the multiple coupler units H. In the preferred construction, the body Iis a simple, one piece element, although the invention contemplates thefabrication of the body from two or more sections if desired. The bodyl0 may be designed to carry a, multiplicity of the coupler units H inany selected or required spaced relation. In the drawing the body I0 isan elongate one piece member constructed to contain a row or series oflongitudinally spaced units The body it illustrated in the drawing isrectangular in transverse cross section having a flat bottom, verticalside faces, and a horizontal top surface. The opposite ends of the bodyH) are provided with pro- Jecting attaching ears H to facilitate theattachment of the block to a support. Openings l5 are provided in theears It to receive attaching screws or the like. Tubular rivets orbushings I6 line the openings l5 and have radial annular flanges H ontheir ends. The openings l5 are counterbored at the under sides of theears l4 to'receive the lower flanges l1.

Longitudinally spaced sockets or pockets l8 are provided in the body It!to, contain the coupler units II. The pockets l8 enter what I havetermed the upper side of the block body l0 and extend downwardly asubstantial distance. The pockets ill have vertical side and end walls,and the bottom walls of the pockets are curved and concave. The severalpockets ii! are identical in size and shape, and may be equally spacedalong the body it]. The longitudinal spacing of the pockets l8 may bevaried but it is preferred to space the pockets substantial distancesapart so that the individual wires leading to the coupler units H areeasily accessible. If desired, vertical weight reducing openings l9 maybe provided in the body webs occurring between the pockets Hi. The sidewalls of the body In have .horizontal openings communicating with thepockets |8.

requires. The coupler units H are preferably identical.

In accordance with the invention there is a plurality of openings 20communicating with each side or end of each pocket l8. The correspondingopenings 20 in the opposite walls of the body III are aligned andpreferably of the same diameter. In the particular case illustratedthere are three spaced openings 20 communicating with each end of eachpocket l8, it being understood that there The lowermost openings 20communicate with the lower parts of the pockets l8 and the uppermostopenings communicate with the upper parts of the pockets. 7

The block body described above is preferably formed of a dielectricmaterial. In practice the body it may be formed of a phenolic resin,Bakelite, hard rubber, porcelain or the equivalent. It

will be noted that the body l0 may be readilycast in the form of a onepiece unit. In some applications of the invention a long strip havingthe pockets ill, openings 20, etc., may be initially formed and then cutinto lengths or units having a selected number of pockets i8 and the endportions of these units may then be machined to have the attaching earsl8.

The coupler units I! serve to electrically and mechanically connect thewires of the pairs or' groups of wires that arebroughtinto theblock. Thecoupler units II are arranged in the pockets l8 and are retained in thepockets by the means If desired, a coupler unit |8may be provided ineach pocket, but in certain applications the units may be arranged inselected pockets as the installation The coupler units II are verticallydisposed generally rectangular element proportioned to be readilyintroduced into the upper ends of the pockets. As best illustrated inFigure 3 of the drawing, the units II have clearance with the end wallsof the pockets Hi. The coupler unit H are constructed of relatively thinresilient material such as beryllium copper and may be plated withsilver, or the like. The individual coupler units may be formed from asingle length or blank of stock, but in the case illustrated, each unitembodies two mating or complementary sections 2| to facilitate themanufacture. Each section 2| has spaced horizontal grooves pressed orformed in its inner side. In the construction illustrated, three groovesare-formed in each section and the grooves of the associated sectionsoppose and communicate with one another to constitute elongatehorizontal openings 22. The openings 22 extend between the oppositevertical edges of-the units I and are cylindrical and uniform indiameter. The upper and lower openings 22 of the units H are positionedso that the units II with the concave bottomv walls of the I pocketsassists in centralizing the units in the pockets. The units II areproportioned so that their upper extremities lie in or slightly belowthe plane of the upper surface of the body l0 when the lower extremitiesof the units rest on the bottom walls of the pockets. The coupler unitsH are constructed so that their openings 22 are in registration with thecorresponding openings 21) in the side walls of the body l0.

' The portions 24 of the coupler unit sections 2| between theendopenings 22 and the intermediate openings 22 are fiat andsubstantially vertical. The opposing surfaces of these fiat portion 24are in engagement and lie in the same vertical planes as the abuttingedges 23 of the sections 2|. The invention provides means for connectingthe straight portions 24 so that there is substantially uniformresistance offered to the insertion of the tips l2 into the severalopenings 22 and so that the units I offer uniform or identicalresistance to withdrawal of the tips. These means comprise securingmembers 25 connecting the straight portions 24. In practice the members25 may be rivets. Two or more horizontally spaced rivets 25 connect eachpair of straight portions 24. The rivets 2.5 lie in horizontal planesthat are closer to the upper and lower openings 22 than they are to theintermediate openings 22. This is clearly shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4.The rivets 25 being in adjacent relation to the end openings 22,increase the gripping action of the units H at the end openings, thuscompensating for the fact that there is nothing connecting the sections2| at lower. openings 22.

.- of the units. The openings 26 are substantially rectangular and haveactive latch walls lying in planes normal to the longitudinal axes ofthe openings 22. The openings 26 are elongated vertically-to extend intothe flat vertical portions 24. Similar openings 21 are provided in theupper and lower edge portions of the units II to communi cate; with orpartially intersect the upper and The openings 21 are of the same widthas the openings 26 and have vertical walls lying in the same planes asthe vertical walls of the openings 26. v

The coupler pins or tips I2 are secured to the wire or conductors C thatare to be engaged and connected in the block. The tips I2 arev simple,inexpensive parts and are preferably identical.

. the conductors C instead of being crimped thereon. The tips haveportions 38 adapted to be received in. the side openings 28 of the blockbody I8 with sliding or working clearance. The parts 3| of the tipswhich extend inwardly from the portions 38 are reduced in diameter andare proportioned to be snugly or frictionally engaged in the Openings 22of the coupler units I I. Heads 32 are provided on the inner ends of thetips I2. The heads 32 are adapted to snap or engage in the openings 26and 21 to releasably lock the tips in the coupler units I I. The heads32 have rearwardly and laterally divergent surfaces terminating atrather abrupt shoulders 33. The tapered or rounded heads 32 are readilyintroduced into the openings 28 and their tapering or roundedconfiguration permits them to be forced into the openings 22 of theresilient coupler units II. As best illustrated in Figure 3 of thedrawing, the heads 32 have a maximum diameter considerably greater thanthe normal diameter of the openings 22 so that the units i I areexpended or flexed when the tips I2 are introduced into the units.

The tips I2 are pressed into the units I I until the heads 32 suddenlysnap or engage in the openings 26 and 21. The abrupt shoulders 33 at thebases of the heads 32 cooperate with th walls of the openings and 21 todependably latch the tips in the coupler units. The heads 32 may haveflat end faces that engage when the shoulders 33 cooperate with thewalls of the openings 28 and 21. The electrical connection between thepairs or aligned tips I2 is maintained by the cooperation of the wallsof the openings 22 with the tip parts 3I and the engagement of the headswith one another is not depended upon to preserve th electricalconnection between the "tips. Shoulders 34 occur where the tip portions38 join the reduced tip parts 3| and the shoulders 34 are engageablewith the edges of the units II to limit the inward travel of the tips.The cooperation of the shoulders 34 with the edges of the units IIprevents the tips I2 from displacing one another when the tips areengaged in the block.

The means l3 serve to cover the upper ends of the pockets I8 to protectthe coupler units II and to retain the units in the block. The means I3is in the nature of a closure or cover means and includes a cover plate35. The cover plate 35 is an elongate rectangular part preferably ofdielectric material. The upper side of the body I8 has a longitudinalgroove 36 for receiving the cover plate 35.

' The outer portions of the tips I2 are in the nature 35 on the body I8.

, outwardly.

Clip means is provided to removably retain the cover plate 35 on thebody I 8. A clip 31 is provided on each end of the body I8. The clips 31are formed of spring steel, beryllium copper or the like. The clips 31have feet 38 arranged against the upper sides of the ears I4 and thefeet are provided with openings for receiving the bushings IS. The upperflanges I1 of the bushings I8 hold the feet 38 against the upper sidesofthe ears I4. The clips 31 extend upwardly from the feet 38 and areprovided at their upper ends with lugs or tongues 39 for inwardly fromits opposite ends to a detent dimpic 43. The side parts H are adapted tostraddle the upper portion of the block body. Inwardly protruding detentdimples 44 are provided on the side parts M and engage in sockets 45 inthe sides of the body I8. The dimple 43 on the transverse part 42 isadapted to engage in an opening or socket 46 in the cover plate 35 torestrain the plate against longitudinal movement. Two or more of theclips 48 may be spaced along the body I8 to retain the cover plate 35 onthe body. When the plate 35 is arranged in its groove 36, the clips '48are pressed down over the body I8 so that their side parts H are sprungThe clips are pressed downwardly until the detents 44 snap into thesockets 45, at which time the detent 43 engages the opening 46. Theclips 48 dependably hold the cover plate 35 in position but may beeasily and quickly removed from the body when it is desired to removethe cover plate.

Figure 7 illustrates another alternative form of clip 41 for removablyholding the cover plate The clip 41 is adapted to straddle theupperportion of the body [8 being provided with downturned side parts 48for extending downwardly at opposite sides of the body.

The upper transverse part of the clip 41 has a depressed portion 49 forbearing downwardly against the cover plate 35. Inturned detent parts orfingers 58 are provided on the lower ends of the side parts 49. Thefingers 58 are adapted to engage in sockets or slots 5I in the sides ofthe body I8. Two or more clips 41 may be employed to hold the coverplate 35 in place. The clips 41 are merely pressed down over the body I8until their fingers 58 snap into the slots 5|, at which time thedepressed portions 48 .come into retaining engagement with the coverplate 35.

In using the connector block described above, the units II are readilyinserted in the pockets I8 to automatically assume the positions wheretheir openings 22 are aligned with the openings 28. The units II may beinstalled in all of the pockets or in selected pockets as the conditionsof use may'require. The cover plate 35 is applied to the body I8 andsecured in place by the clips 31. 48 or 41, as the case may be.

When it is desired to electrically connect two or more conductors C thetips I2 of the conductors are merely inserted into a selected unit II.

22 to finally snap into the openings 26 and 21.

1 As described above, the heads 32 cooperate with the openings 26 and 21to dependably retain the tips in the units l I. It is to be observedthat the several conductors C of a given set or group may all beinserted into one side of the block, or may be inserted into both sidesof the block. The gang's or groups of conductors C electricallyconnected by the coupler units ii, are fullyinsulated one from theother, and the individual conductors of each group are dependablymaintained in elec- .trical connection. If it is desired to provideidentifying designations for the several groups or sets of conductors,numerals 65-may be provided on the top of the block body iii over thespaced vertical rows of openings 20. The numerals 65 are not requiredand are optional.

When it is desired to disconnect a conductor C its tip I2 is merelypulled from the connector block. The coupler units ll dependably connectand retain the tips 32, but the tips may be readily withdrawn byapplying a sudden pull. It is to be observed that the individualconductors C may be disconnected from the block and that thedisconnection of a conductor does not necessitate the removal ordisturbing of the other conductors. If it becomes necessary to replace acoupler unit H, the conductor tips i2 engaged in that particular unitare removed and the cover plate 35 is detached from the body it to makethe unit ii accessible. The faulty unit it may be readily withdrawn fromits pocket in and a new or replacement unit ii may be inserted. In thisway the connector block may be easily serviced. It is to be observedthat the. conductors C may be connected and disconnected withoutemploying toolsand that the units it may be inserted, withdrawn andreplaced without the use I of tools.

Figures 8 and 9 of the drawing show the connector block embodyingcoupler means for electrically and mechanically connecting ,pairs ofstraight-through conductors. The body iii and the means l3 may be thesame as in the previously described form of the invention. In theconstruction illustrated in Figures 8 and 9., one or more tubularresilient coupler units 58 are provided in each pocket 18. The units 53are elongate tubular members of relatively thin flexible resilientmetal. The units 53 are split longitudinally to be expansible radially.Each tubular unit 53 has two spaced circumferentially extending slots oropenings 5d intersecting its split. The units 53 are flanged or enlargedat their opposite ends and the enlargements have a greater diameter thanthe openings 20 so that the units cannot be displaced through theopenings.

The coupler units 53 are supported in the pock-= ets 18 to be inalignment with the corresponding openings 20 and to be efi'ectivelyinsulated one from the other. The lowermost units 53 rest on the concavelower walls of the pockets it. The engagement with the concave bottomwalls of the pockets assist in holding the units in alignment with thelowermost openings at. Spacers lie of dielectric material are arrangedon the upper sides of the lower units 53. The spacers 55 havecylindrically concaved lower faces for conforming to the cylindricalunits 53. The coupler units 53 for registering with the intermediatebody openings 20 rest on the spacers 55. The upper sides of the spacers55 are cylindrically concaved to conform to the units 53 and to assistin aligning larged ends of the units 53 protrude from the.

ends of the spacers 55 and 66 and may have limited clearance with theend walls of the pockets l8. Th uppermost units 53 may be engaged bythe'cover plate 35.0r may lie immediately below the cover plate.

The conductors C are provided with tips 5! for engaging or latching inthe coupler units The tips El have sockets 58 soldered or crimped on theexposed end portions of the conductors C. Part5 as extend forwardly fromthe sockets it and are proportioned to slidably fit the openings at ofthe body Hi. Reduced portions to continue forwardly from the parts 59and have annular enlargements St at their ends. The sides or sur- '1posing tips are releasably latched together by the cooperation of theirsurfaces E3.

. In employing the connector or" Figures 8 and 9. the assemblies ofsuperimposed units 63 and spacers and 5t arereadily inserm l'in thepool:- ets 558. These assemblies may be arranged in as many pockets itas the particular installation The cover plate Sit is applied to thepockets. When a pair of straight-through conductors is to be connected,the tips iii are merely pushed or pressed into the opposite ends of aselected unit 53. In performing this operation, the two tips 57 arepositioned so that the surfaces 63 of their tongues 52 will come intocontact. Figure 9 illustrates the manner in which the tips st arehandled to bring their tongues 62 into proper engagement. When the tipsbl are thrust into the unit 53 the enlargements ti snap into theopenings 54 to dependably latch or retain the tips in the positionswhere the surfaces 53 arein contact to maintain electrical contactbetween the conductors C. The unit 53 closely engages about the portionsand, tongues {52, and forms an electrical coupling between the two tips51..

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, amultiplicity of pairs of in-line or straight-through conductors C may bereadily connected and each pair of conductors is maintained electricallyseparate from each other pair.

If desired, tips I! such as illustrated in Figure 3 may be used in theconnector block of Figures 8 and 9. When the tips I: are used inconjunction with the device of Figures 8 and 9, the openings 54? areomitted from the units 533 and openings similar to the openings 25 areprovided in the units 53 midway between their ends to receive the heads32.

Having described only typical forms of the invention, I do not wish tobe limited to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserveto myself any variations or modifications that may appear to thoseskilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A device for connecting a plurality of elecfor the reception of saidtips and extending to the pockets there being at least one set ofopenings extending to any given pocket, a coupler introduced into eachpocket from its upper end, each coupler comprising two resilientsections connected together in face to face relation, the

opposing faces of the sections having registering grooves formingopenings which register with the first named openings for frictionallyreceiving said tips, and axially facing shoulders on the ating with saidshoulders on the tips to resist withdrawal of the tips.

2. A connector block for connecting electrical clips on the body forengaging the end portions of the cover to removably retain the cover onthe body.

4. A connector block for electrically and mechanically connectingconductors having tips provided with shoulders comprising an elongatebody having longitudinally spaced pockets entering its upper end andhaving longitudinally spaced sets of vertically spaced openings in itsopposite sides communicating with the pockets .for receiving saidconductor tips, coupling units'removably inserted in the pockets andhaving sets of vertically spaced openings communicating with the firstnamed openings, for receiving said conductor tips,

I walls of said openings in the couplers fOr cooper- I conductors havingtips, said block including a I body having a vertical pocket enteringits upper end and having spaced horizontal openings extending through itfrom one side to the other and intersecting said pocket, and a couplerunit inserted into the pocket from its upper end and supported on thebottom wall of the pocket, the coupler unit comprising two resilientparts connected in face to face relation, the opposing faces of saidparts having opposing grooves which register to form openings forreceiving said tips, the supporting engagement of said bottom wall ofthe pocket with the coupler unit serving to position the coupler unitwhere the second named openings are aligned with said horizontalopenings.

3. A device for facilitating the connection of electrical conductorshaving tips comprising a body of dielectric material having spacedpockets entering its upper end and having spaced sets of spaced openingsentering it from at least one side and extending to the pockets forreceiving said tips. there being at least one set of openings extendingto any given pocket, resilient coupling units contained in the tips, acover on the upper end of the body for closing the outer ends of thepockets, and spring pockets for receiving said spaced axially facingshoulders on the walls of the second named openings for latching withthe shoulders of said tips, a cover for closing the upper ends of thepockets, and means for retaining the cover on the body.

5. A connector for facilitating the connecting of electrical conductorscomprising a body having a pocket extending downwardly from its upperend and having vertically spaced openings extending from its oppositesides to the pocket for receiving said conductors, a coupler removablyinserted in the pocket and supported on the bottom wall thereof, andhaving spaced openings communicating with the first named openings forreceiving said conductors, the engagement of the coupler with the bottomwall of the Docket serving to position the coupler where its openingsregister with said first named openings, and means for covering. thepocket and retaining the coupler therein.

6. A connector block for facilitating the connecting of electricalconductors including a body having spaced sulstantially vertical pocketsentering its upper end and spaced substantially horizontal openingsextending from its opposite sides to the pockets for receiving saidconductors, couplers removably inserted downwardly into the pockets andresting on the bottom walls thereof, each coupler having spaced openingscommunicating with the said openings of the body for receiving saidconductors, and a removable cover plate on the body closing the upperends of the pockets.

DOUGLAS K. ROLLOW.

